Fans of DICE’s large-scale FPS rejoice: the open beta for Battlefield 3 launches on September 29. Anyone who preordered BF3 via EA’s Origin service or purchased the Limited Edition of last year’s Medal of Honor will be able to play the beta early starting September 27.

The beta will feature one map, Operation Metro, in the Rush mode popularized by DICE’s Battlefield: Bad Company series. Though the beta will end October 10, there is no playtime limit. Players are free to rank up as far as possible but DICE has explicitly said that no stats or unlocks will carry over to the finished product.

Xbox 360 and PS3 users need only download the beta software to play, but PC users will need to install and use Origin. The beta should give players adequate time to get accustomed to EA’s service before the full game releases October 25. System requirements for the PC version can be found below.

I just need a new sound card...thats it...running on board sound since i got my second 470, which left no room for my aged audigy 2 zs. Going to pick up an Auzentech X-Fi forte for that tiny pci express slot above my top 470. :)Reply

WOW, FINALLY a Game designed for the latest greatest.. Finally my 2007 quad core can have some use..($149) in 07 mind you. It is about time, that a vendor finally pushed the envelope for a game, I realize that i have scene a lot of moans and groans of requirements. BUT if you cannot afford to play this game, then maybe xbox is where you want to stay at. The Recommended system, can be got for under $600 NEW letalone and upgrade.We finally got the publishers to push the limit, and lots of belly aching...

It needs a direct X 10.1 video card.I'm guessing it's a Direct x 10.1 / 11 game.XP doesn't support DX 10.Since you have both operating systems, give it a shot on XP and let us know for grins and giggles. If you have that kind of time, of course. :)Reply

from Nvidia's site: Most gamers already have PCs equal to or more powerful than DICE’s Minimum System Requirements, as shown by Valve’s comprehensive Hardware Survey, though 18% of the players listed there still use Windows XP, which is not compatible with DirectX 10 and 11.Reply